The 2017 Festival crowned Chilled 100 member Kevin Beary of the Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago, Illinois, the winner of the $10,000 first place prize and coveted title as the creator of the “World’s Best Mai Tai.” Justin Kipapa of the Myna Bird Tiki Bar in Honolulu, Hawaii placed second and received $5,000. Third place prize of $2,500 was awarded to Paul Schreuder of Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Photo by Ranae Keane-Bamsey

Photo by Ranae Keane-Bamsey

Photo by Ranae Keane-Bamsey

Photo by Ranae Keane-Bamsey

Photo by Ranae Keane-Bamsey

Photo by Ranae Keane-Bamsey

For the past nine years, the Royal Kona Resort on the Island of Hawaii (Big Island) has been celebrating the popular Mai Tai cocktail gathering hundreds of visitors to cheer on their favorite mixologist. The three-hour contest produced unique recipes paying tribute to the classic rum drink with the cocktail creations judged by a special panel based on taste, creativity and name.

The 10th Annual Mai Tai World Championship is scheduled for August 18, 2018.